By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: CSA.
Live From St Georges Park: The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – “Martin Luther King Jr.”
There were no more apt words, for Temba Bavuma and the Proteas team on Day 3 of the Second Test match versus Australia.
Temba Bavuma has spent much of his career proving his value in difficult circumstances. On Tuesday at St George’s Park, he produced an innings that may rank among the finest of his Test career, rescuing South Africa from 110 for six and leaving Australia facing a formidable task with two days remaining.
Bavuma’s 179 came from 334 deliveries and was his first Test century against Australia. It was also his fifth in the format, his highest score and the highest by a South African captain against the Australians. More importantly, it transformed the second Test and gave the hosts renewed hope of levelling the series after their heavy defeat in Durban.
To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.
South Africa declared on 429 for nine, with Australia 3 for one at stumps, trailing by 422 runs. Kagiso Rabada struck in the first over of the reply, Nic Maddinson edging to third slip for a four ball duck.
The late wicket was a fitting reward for a day dominated by South Africa’s resilience. Marco Jansen made 85 and Simon Harmer 82, but it was Bavuma who held the innings together, first resisting Australia’s attack and then capitalising when the opportunity came to rebuild.
He began the day on 41, having negotiated difficult conditions the previous evening. His approach remained measured as Jansen launched a counterattack at the other end. Bavuma left well, played straight and resisted the temptation to force the pace. Even when Josh Hazlewood found an edge and Steven Smith spilled a difficult chance at second slip with Bavuma on 122, the South African captain stayed composed.
The hundred arrived from 226 balls, a forceful pull off Pat Cummins bringing the milestone into view. Bavuma removed his helmet and saluted the crowd, which had waited patiently for the moment. The celebration carried the relief of a player who had worked hard to find his rhythm and had finally turned a promising start into a defining innings.
“I’m happy that I was able to get one against Australia in Test cricket,” Bavuma said afterwards. He acknowledged that his century at Newlands would always hold a special place, but this innings had its own significance. He had helped pull the team out of a difficult position while also addressing a personal frustration: the struggle to convert starts into a major score.
“I was able to get the team out of a tough situation, but then from a personal point of view to go and get a big hundred,” he said. “That’s obviously something that’s been a thorn in my batting career, so it was nice to mentally get over that.”
Bavuma’s partnership with Jansen changed the tempo of the innings. Jansen attacked Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, driving through the covers and clearing the boundary as Australia’s control began to loosen. Their stand was worth 132 before Jansen fell for 85, caught by Travis Head after being struck painfully by Boland’s second new ball.
South Africa were still not finished. Harmer joined Bavuma and added 183 for the eighth wicket, a national Test record for that position. Harmer’s 82 was his maiden Test half century, built with the application of a seasoned batter and punctuated by confident strokes against Hazlewood. Bavuma praised the way both partners valued their wickets, explaining that South Africa’s plan had been to keep the Australians in the field for as long as possible.
Harmer narrowly missed a hundred, but the partnership ensured South Africa could declare with a substantial lead and enough time to attack Australia before the close.
Bavuma said he had tried to keep personal milestones out of his thinking, including the possibility of a double century. His focus, he said, was on giving the bowlers enough runs and time to work with. The declaration came with little more than 20 minutes remaining, and Rabada’s immediate breakthrough justified the decision.
South Africa still have work to do. Bavuma knows the remaining overs will demand discipline and sustained pressure, particularly with the series on the line. But after a difficult start to the match, the captain has given his side something substantial to believe in. “We obviously want to go for the win,” he said. “We’ll do as much as we can to bring that to life.”